The volcano, which last erupted just over 300 years ago, is visible from the Japanese capital on a clear day.

It is featured prominently in historic Japanese art work, including wood blocks prints.

It is also one of the traditional “Three Holy Mountains” – along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, both in central Japan.

Unesco listed Italy’s Mount Etna as a world heritage site on Friday, saying the 3,300m (10,900 ft) active volcano had “notoriety, scientific importance, and cultural and educational value of global significance”.